Topic Contents

Leiomyosarcoma

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Leiomyosarcoma is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that arises from smooth muscle Cells There are essentially two types of muscles in the body - voluntary and involuntary. Smooth muscles are involuntary muscles - the brain has no conscious control over them. Smooth muscles react involuntarily in response to various stimuli. For example, smooth muscle that lines the walls of the digestive tract causes wave-like contractions (peristalsis) that aid in the digestion and transport of food. Smooth muscles in the salivary glands cause the glands to squirt saliva into the mouth in response to taking a bite of food. Smooth muscle in the skin causes goose bumps to form in response to cold.

Leiomyosarcoma is a form of cancer. The term "cancer" refers to a group of diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cellular growth that invades surrounding tissues and may spread (metastasize) to distant body sites via the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, or other means. Different forms of cancer, including leiomyosarcomas, may be classified based upon the cell type involved, the specific nature of the malignancy, and the disease's clinical course. Leiomyosa usually spreads via the bloodstream. It is very rare to see it in lymphatics.

Since smooth muscle is found all over the body, a leiomyosarcoma can form almost anywhere where there are blood vessels, heart, liver, pancreas, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract, the space behind the abdominal cavity (retroperitoneum), uterus, skin. The uterus is the most common location for a leiomyosarcoma. Most leiomyosarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract are now reclassified as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST - see below)

Leiomyosarcoma is classified as a soft tissue sarcoma. Sarcomas are malignant tumors that arise from the connective tissue, which connects, supports and surrounds various structures and organs in the body. Soft tissue includes fat, muscle, nerves, tendons, and blood and lymph vessels. The exact cause of leiomyosarcoma, including uterine leiomyosarcoma, is unknown.

Supporting Organizations

American Cancer Society, Inc.

250 Williams NW St

Ste 6000

Atlanta, GA 30303

USA

Tel: (404)320-3333

Tel: (800)227-2345

Website: http://www.cancer.org

BeatSarcoma

76 Ellsworth Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

Tel: (415)826-0474

Email: info@beatsarcoma.org

Website: http://www.beatsarcoma.org/

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

National Cancer Institute

6116 Executive Blvd Suite 300

Bethesda, MD 20892-8322

USA

Tel: (301)435-3848

Tel: (800)422-6237

Email: cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov

Website: http://www.cancer.gov

Northwest Sarcoma Foundation

P.O. Box 91460

Portland, OR 97291

Tel: (503)954-5740

Email: jason@nwsarcoma.org

Website: http://www.nwsarcoma.org

OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource

3400 Spruce Street

2 Donner

Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283

USA

Tel: (215)349-8895

Fax: (215)349-5445

Email: hampshire@uphs.upenn.edu

Website: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu

Rare Cancer Alliance

1649 North Pacana Way

Green Valley, AZ 85614

USA

Website: http://www.rare-cancer.org

Sarcoma Alliance

775 East Blithedale 334

Mill Valley, CA 94941

USA

Tel: (415)381-7236

Fax: (415)381-7235

Email: info@sarcomaalliance.org

Website: http://www.sarcomaalliance.org

Sarcoma Foundation of America

9899 Main Street Ste 204

Damascus, MD 20872

USA

Tel: (301)253-8687

Fax: (301)253-8690

Email: info@curesarcoma.org

Website: http://www.curesarcoma.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 9/4/2012Copyright 2012 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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